The bond that you share with your dog is a special thing. It brings you joy nearly every minute of your day – except when it’s time to vacuum.
Dog hair has a way of getting everywhere. It gets on the carpet, coats your furniture, sticks to your clothes, and even decorates the inside of your car. It’s a small price to pay, but it does make you wonder exactly how to deal with dog hair.
The good news is that there are some simple tricks you can use to keep your house relatively hair-free without limiting your dog’s access. Let’s look at what you can do to deal with your dog’s stray hair.
Why Do Some Dogs Shed a Lot?
Before you begin to clean up a bunch of fur, it’s helpful to understand why your dog sheds. There are a few reasons why this can happen, as some of them can be controlled to an extent.
Normal shedding
It’s no secret that dogs have different types of coats. The type of coat your dog has will greatly affect how much hair they leave around your house.
Let’s clear up one thing here – all dogs shed. However, how much they shed can vary quite a bit. It’s a misconception that hypoallergenic dogs don’t shed at all, but it is true that they tend to shed significantly less than other breeds.
It’s important to understand what is considered a normal amount of shedding for your particular faithful friend. Dogs with lots of fur, long hair, and thick undercoats tend to be the biggest shedders of excess dog hair. These types of dogs include breeds like:
These dogs continually shed hair as their coat constantly replaces itself. Old fur falls off as new fur grows into place.
The weather also affects this cycle. Dogs will naturally grow a thicker coat to keep themselves warm during cold weather. Of course, that means they need to get rid of that excess fur when the weather warms up again. These dogs will usually experience short periods of extreme shedding often referred to as “blowing coat” when the weather changes.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, you’ll find some dogs that shed significantly less. However, that doesn’t mean you’re off the hook for grooming.
Many of these breeds have hair that continually grows instead of going through regular shedding cycles. This scenario means that your dog will need regular hair cuts and grooming if you don’t want them to look like a ragamuffin. Dogs in this category are typically smaller dogs and include breeds like:
Abnormal shedding
If your dog is shedding more than normal, there may be something more afoot. Certain medical conditions can lead to excessive shedding, including:
- Infections
- Allergies
- Stress
- Poor nutrition
- Hormonal imbalances
Check your dog’s skin thoroughly for skin irritations or sores and watch out for bald spots, excessive scratching, and licking. If you notice any of these symptoms, take them to the vet to have their skin checked right away.
If you don’t spot any irritation or other issues, excessive shedding doesn’t always mean your dog is sick. Other factors such as stress and poor diet can also cause a dog to shed more than normal, but these factors can be corrected with some love, attention, and proper nutrition.
How a Dog’s Diet Impacts Their Skin and Fur
One indication of poor nutrition is dull, unhealthy-looking hair that sheds everywhere. A well-nourished dog’s coat should be smooth and relatively soft, depending on your dog’s breed. If this isn’t the case, it’s time to look at the food bowl.
It’s important to feed your dog a high-quality food like Bil-Jac Super Premium Dog Food. Bil-Jac Dry is slow-cooked and gently dried to specifically help protect the key nutrients dogs need every day to be healthy.
Protein and essential fatty acids help support not only your dog’s skin and coat, but also what is going on inside your furry friend. For shedding in particular, Omega-3 and 6 fatty acids can help protect against irritated skin and support heart and joint health at the same time.
Don’t Forget the Water Bowl
You should also make sure that your dog is drinking plenty of water. Dehydrated skin doesn’t hang onto hair as well and can contribute to your dog’s hair problem. When your pup isn’t getting enough water, their skin can become dry, flaky, and irritated – which not only leads to itchiness but also makes shedding worse.
Having that bowl of fresh water ready and encouraging regular hydration will help your furry friend maintain a healthy, shiny coat over time. It’s a simple step, but it can make a big difference.
How to Get Rid of Dog Hair
Now that you have some more background on why dogs shed, it’s time to address the real issue at hand: dog hair removal.
Even if you’ve addressed any irritation or other causes of excess shedding, you’ll still need to battle against stray dog hair from time to time (or all the time, depending on your dog’s breed mix). Luckily, there are plenty of tricks you can use to keep your home (somewhat) free of dog hair.
How to limit the spread of dog hair
The best way to mitigate furmaggedon is to cover up anything that you don’t want to clean. For example, lay out a blanket or towel in your dog’s favorite place to sleep. This trick not only gives your dog a special spot that makes them feel loved but also allows you to pick up those blankets and throw them in the wash whenever they start to look worse for the wear.
Yes, you’ll still have to clean, but it’s better than trying to remove stray hair from every square inch of your home or car.
How to get dog hair out of carpet
Dog hair and carpet? Not exactly a dream team. But with the right tools and a little strategy, you can get that fur up without spending your day on your hands and knees. Here’s how:
Step 1: Tackle Small Areas with a Pumice Stone
For spots like corners, rugs, or stairs, grab a pumice stone. Gently rub it across the carpet. Dog hair will clump up and be easy to pick up by hand.
Step 2: Use a Rubber Broom for Larger Areas
For bigger carpeted spaces, a rubber broom is your best friend. The rubber bristles create static that helps pull hair up from deep in the fibers. Go over the area until the fur is loosened or clumped.
Step 3: Vacuum Thoroughly
Once you’ve loosened the hair, vacuum it all up. Here’s the trick: vacuum in different directions. Dog hair doesn’t all settle the same way, so changing your angle helps suck up more stubborn strands.
Bonus Tip: Keep It Up
The more regularly you do this, the less overwhelming it gets. Your vacuum will thank you.
How to get dog hair off furniture
Static electricity and dry air make dog hair cling like Velcro. The good news? A few simple tricks can help loosen that stubborn fur and make clean-up much easier.
Step 1: Reduce Static
Use a light mist of water from a spray bottle on your furniture to help neutralize static electricity. Don’t soak – just a light spritz will do.
Step 2: Try a Damp Rubber Glove
Put on a rubber glove, dampen it slightly, and run your hand over the surface. Hair will bunch together and cling to the glove. Rinse off the fur and repeat as needed.
Step 3: Use a Damp Sponge
For most fabrics, you can lightly run a damp sponge across the surface to gather fur. Again, don’t oversaturate – just enough moisture to reduce static and clump the hair.
Step 4: Treat with Anti-Static Spray
Apply an anti-static spray to furniture to cut down on cling. This will make it easier to remove fur with any tool you use.
Step 5: Grab a Lint Roller or Tape
In a pinch? Use a lint roller or wrap duct tape around your hand (sticky side out) to pick up hair – especially in smaller areas or when you don’t want to use moisture.
How to get dog hair out of clothes
Step 1: Use Dryer Sheets in the Laundry
Every time you do laundry, toss in a dryer sheet. The dryer sheet helps reduce static electricity so dog hair won’t cling to your clothes as easily.
Step 2: Swipe with a Dryer Sheet
No time for a full laundry cycle? Rub a dryer sheet directly over your clothes before heading out the door to pick up loose hair and reduce static.
Step 3: Keep a Lint Roller Handy
For stubborn strays, a quick pass with a lint roller does the trick. Keep one at home, in your car, or even in your bag for last-minute cleanups.
How to Reduce Loose Dog Hair Through Grooming
An excellent way to cut down on the amount of dog hair in your house is to clean it off your dog before they get a chance to leave it everywhere. Here are some ways to proactively limit the spread of dog hair.
Regular Brushing
Simply brushing your dog’s coat regularly makes a huge difference. How often you need to brush depends on your dog’s hair type and can range from once a day to once a month. Choose your brush wisely, though. Coarser coats will benefit from a stiffer bristle brush whereas a wire-pin brush works better for curly, woolly coats.
De-shedding Tools
There are also a variety of tools that are specifically designed for de-shedding that can be helpful. If you’re not sure what type to use, ask your vet or a professional groomer what they’d recommend for your dog. Groomers are specially trained in de-shedding services and could be an excellent option, even if it is just a few times a year, to help manage hair loss.
Bath Time
Regular baths can also cut down on shedding by removing loose hairs. Special de-shedding shampoos with moisturizers help hydrate the skin as well, creating stronger hair follicles, thus reducing shedding.
Avoid Dry Skin
Finally, remember that we said low humidity and static electricity are a perfect environment for attracting dog hair? Using a humidifier in your home can be helpful if the air is overly dry. The hair will still be present, but it won’t cling to fabrics quite as well. Plus, the extra humidity may help if your dog is dealing with any skin dryness.
Keeping It Clean with Your Furry Friend
The great news for you is that there are plenty of options for keeping your home clean and (mostly) hair-free. From the food bowl to the dog brush, you can help cut down on the amount of hair at home and in your car.
Want to learn more about what you can do to support your furry friend? Sign up for the Best Friends Club to receive our exclusive monthly email newsletter for more dog care advice, nutritional info, and special members-only discounts on Bil-Jac Dog Food, Treats, and other products.
